Thursday, December 31, 2009

No words; Just catching up!

Pics from our big December snowstorm - we got two feet!









Tuesday, December 22, 2009

X-Rays and Nuudles

For some crazy reason, Levi decided to build an X-Ray machine. I drew the skeleton for him, and then we set it up to scan him. Isn't that funny?
And the boys had a blast with their Nuudles Nana & Pappy sent! You just barely touch them onto a damp paper towel and then they stick together like magic!

Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Presents!

When I was a kid, our Aunt Cooka always sent us a big box, filled with amazing goodies, and it always arrived well before Christmas. My mother - wisely - let us open them when they were delivered, often within 5 minutes of the UPS man honking to let us know there was a package out by the gate!
So now that my kids have their Nana & Pappy sending them things, I let them open them right up! They both got to open one package, right away, and then we opened the rest in front of the web cam, once Nana & Pappy were home for the evening!



They both received some wonderful, creativity-building gifts, and have been enjoying them thoroughly. I love spreading out the gifts. For one thing, it gives kids time to enjoy each present, rather than being overwhelmed by a ridiculous pile (not to mention expecting that kind of pile every year). I totally see the idea behind spreading out Hanuka gifts!

We've been having such fun, mama-sons time on our break, and it's gotten me to thinking: Everyone always oohs and aahs about the fact that Jesus chose Mary to be His mother. But you know what? He didn't just choose her, he made her to be His mother. Back before the universe was started, He looked ahead and planned out her every relative, neighbor, every childhood experience, everything that would make her who she would be the day the angel came to tell her the good news - right down to the texture of her hair and complexion of her skin.

And that same Creator, looked ahead, His heart full to bursting, and planned me for my boys too.

That'll turn your head for a spin, won't it?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sunday Snippet

Expecting all children the same age to learn from the same materials is like expecting all children the
same age to wear the same size clothing.
– Madeline Hunter (1916-1994)

Friday, December 18, 2009

the mummification of bears

What's that you say? You didn't realize that mummification was still happening in this age? Well, I have news for you, it totally is. For our last day of school, before the holidays, we mummified some toys. We pretended the bears were little pharoahs, walking around, and then they got sick and passed away. We "tended" to open them up and put their organs away - minus the brain - that got sucked out your nose and tossed in the trash because the ancient Egyptians didn't think it important! After that we soaked them in oils and waited, waited, waited a month or so, before washing off the little pharoah bears and wrapping them in linen, er... toilet paper.



The boys were not content with stopping there, and we went and found a couple of boxes to use for each pharoah's sarcophagus. The boys put food, entertainment, and treasure in there too, and then they put lids on the boxes and we shoved them into tombs in the Valley of the Kings (our couch). We had a giggle over the fact that it would be silly trying to take all that stuff with you to heaven, since Father God has better stuff waiting for us when we get there.

For something so simple, both boys were totally thrilled with this, and when it came time to pick some things to take to rest time, they both grabbed their mummies!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Gingerbread

We made my favorite gingerbread cookies today. The boys had a ton of fun cutting them out. Levi did little gingerbread boys, and Micah mostly did bells and stars...

Enjoying the spoils... (with some warm cocoa:)


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Trimmings...

I love Christmas trees. I wish you could see how ours glows from the inside out, the bottom two-thirds covered in paper ornaments made by Levi. Hanging from the chandelier over the stairs you can see our snowflake mobile, and on the banister are our mama-made stockings...

And here's my little cutie, wearing his daddy's Goofy hat...

Last night we went to a late Christmas party. When it was time to go home, Paul went upstairs to fetch the boys. They both huffed and puffed. Then he said, "If we go home, you can go to bed..."
It was so very late, and they were so very tired, that both of them jumped up, faces full of joy, and ran downstairs to get their jackets.

We do have our priorities straight around here, don't we?
(wink, wink)

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Things He Makes...

Levi saw a mask in our Childcraft books, and decided to make one. Since everone else was still sleeping, he looked around for a paper plate (that's what they used in the book). Finding none, he chose a coffee filter and started crafting. His eye holes were on the small side, so I made them bigger, but other than than, it's totally his creation!


And here's Micah, being, well, happy Micah!

And a side-view of the wild thing...
And here's the 2 story castle Levi built for his brother to "play" with...

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Fun!

Oh, I forgot! When we saw the snow coming down, Levi shouted, "It's Christmas!"
Me and the boys went out to play for a while. They explored, and Levi and I threw snow at each other (it wouldn't pack enough to make anything proper), and ate a couple icicles. Micah even threw some snow at his mama, but he was more fascinated with just exploring!




Can I just say, I'm very glad I made that warm, wool sweater! It kept me nice and toasty!

Monday, December 7, 2009

First Snowfall

It snowed on Saturday! The boys were amazed, and the three of us stared out the glass, watching, for a long, long time...

I had to stifle a giggle when Levi wandered into the living room, and shouted for his brother, "Look! It's snowing on this side too!"

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Building with Mr. JT

The boys had a total blast when Mr. JT came upstairs to play. He helped Micah build a train set, and then he and Levi built a lincoln log ranch next to the tracks. They loved the attention!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Nana-doings

We had such a great visit with Nana! Here's the city the boys built with her... I love this picture!

Here they are working. Micah is practicing his cutting...
And here are the Turkey table toppers they made!

Okay, now I'm officially ready for December to begin (so what if I'm a few days behind, right? ;)

Thursday, December 3, 2009